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T. (for Tubal) Claude Ryan was born January 3, 1898 and died
September 11, 1982. His name is most closely linked to the
Ryan NYP NX-211,
the "Spirit of St. Louis" flown by Charles
Lindbergh from New York to Paris in May 1927. Fair enough,
as this was a one-of-a-kind machine designed specifically
for that flight, and it did exactly the job it was designed
to do.
However, Ryan contributed mostly his name to the New York
to Paris endeavor. Needing capital, Ryan had become partners
with Benjamin Franklin Mahoney in April 1925. He was only
marginally involved financially in the company that manufactured
the New York to Paris aircraft, having sold his interest in
the company to Mahoney in 1926 (but he stayed on to manage
the company).
Please refer to the links at left for more information. The
"Spirit of St. Louis" was just the beginning of
an illustrious career in aerospace. He became a Member
of the International Aerospace Hall of Fame, 1965. The link
has an image of him at that time.
Ryan landed at Tucson twice, on September 13, 1927 (flying
a Waco 10, NC1444)
and September 4, 1929 (flying a Great Lakes 825K). These flights
seemed to be ferry flights of new aircraft. During his 1927 visit he was inspected by the U.S. Border Patrol. There is no reason given for the inspection.
I conclude with this fanciful cartoon map of San Diego Bay,
which shows highlights of the area in 1937:
Notice the Ryan School of Aeronautics at center, with the
birthplace of the "Spirit of St. Louis" signified
with an arrow. You can see the Camp Kearney dirigible base,
and even the "paved highways from Los Angeles and Hollywood."
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UPLOADED: 01/23/06 REVISED: 11/18/08
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